Context: You're at the mall today but not for fun. It's time to get new glasses and you get the extra special pain of not being able to see what any new frames might look like on you. After all, you can't see without your glasses. But it seems like a friendly stranger is willing to be your fashion judge. Hopefully, he's nice.

Setting: Various mall locations

Tags: [MM4A][Strangers to ?][Dorky Artist Speaker][Addtl. Cashier Speaker][Meet-Cute][Adorable][Mall Rats][Flirting][Helping Each Other Out][Adorkable][It's Not a Phase, Mom][Is It a Date?][CW: Malls]

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***

[Scene opens in a glasses store in a mall]

[SFX: Muted music and a cash register dinging]

[C] “There you go. Go ahead and pick out a pair you like and let me know when you’re ready. It’ll be another thirty or minutes after to put the lens in, OK?”

[Pause]

[C] “Awesome! Look as long as you’d like, no rush.”

[You turn from the modern silver counter and wander the store, glancing at the frames available. You try a few on but, alas, you can’t really see without your glasses]

[SFX: Footsteps approaching]

“Pardon?”

[You turn and see a tall man with a kind smile, hair up in a lazy bun]

[Pause?]

“I’m sorry if I startled you. I just happened to glance over and saw you were struggling with the same thing as I currently am.”

[He holds up a frame with a sheepish smile]

“Can’t exactly see the glasses without my, uh, glasses. If you’re comfortable with it, maybe we could help each other out. If that’s not too weird for you?”

[Pause]

[He smiles and beelines for a frame on the wall, showing it off proudly]

“This one.”

[Pause?]

“How do I know? Aha… Wow, I’ve never had to out myself as a potential jerk this quickly before. I’m an artist. I also own a bookstore, if that helps you judge me a little less, haha. But, my occupation aside, I saw this frame when I glanced your way and then my eyes immediately went from them to you. And it…yeah. Jazz hands but… softer.”

[Pause]
“I hope I’m not weirding you out. I’m certified awful at talking to people. Dogs? Fluent, no problem, but people just look at you when you howl at the moon and it’s like “Listen, SHARON, I am allowed a creative outlet just as much as you’re allowed to put garden gnomes everywhere!”.”

[He smiles awkwardly as you laugh]

“Yay, a pity laugh! Haha. But, I mean… Try them out, I’ll snap a pic, you can watch me delete the pic and we can go from there?”

[Pause]

[You take your frames off and let him slide the new frames behind your ears]

“Hold still… There we go. Just going to slide them behind your ears and… Yep, that’s magic alright. Here, look for yourself.”

[SFX: A pic being snapped and him tapping on his phone]

“Here, see for yourself.”

[You put on your functioning glasses and look]

[Pause!]

“Haha, see? Not to brag, but I knew these would look incredible on you. Of course, pretty much everything would look nice on you, but these are the prettiest colors, I think.”

[Pause]

[He smiles]

“You’re welcome. Do you want to pick out some alternatives, just in case?”

[Pause]

“Ohohoho, you want to make me feel all flustered now, huh? Alright, my Spec Bestie, hit me with your best shot! But don’t poke me in the eye, please. I won’t be able maintain all this suave if I’m flailing, hehe.”

[Long Pause]

[Recommended some improv here / SFX: muted mall chatter]

[Time passed: Ten minutes]

“No way, really? Ah man, I’m so glad I didn’t watch that show. I’d have been livid at that reveal - thanks for asking if I cared about spoilers.”

[Pause]

“Oh right we’re still trying on glasses, haha. OK, OK, I’m bending down.”

[You carefully slide another frame on to his face, though his big, doofy smile makes it hard not to laugh as you place them]

“...Are, um… Are you gonna keep holding my face like that?”

[Pause!]

“Right, right, getting your phone. Yep. Take your time. I’m just gonna get this rogue strand of hair that seems to keep wanting to jump out from behind my ear.”

[You sweep it back for him while getting your phone and hear his breath catch]

“O-Or you could do it. Wow, ah…”

[SFX: A pic being taken]

“Huh? Oh, right, haha. Let me see?”

[He looks and you see his eyes light up]

“...They’re perfect.”

[Pause?]

“No, I mean it! You have a real eye for style. These make me feel like I’d be happy wearing them. Well, that and can you imagine the story behind them? I’m here for it! C’mon, let’s go turn in our frames.”

[You do and then go to sit back on the waiting bench before your new friend asks:]

“Do you want to go to the food court and grab some mediocre buffet pizza and a soda while we wait? My treat.”

[Pause]

[He laughs and shrugs]

“I know, I know, I am SUCH a hopeless romantic. I’m also a massive grump when hungry, so… yeah. What do you say?”

[He smiles at you and, well, you have nothing else to do while you wait]

“Yes! Pizza time! C’mon, this is usually when they switch out the fresh stuff.”

[The two of you head off, into the semi-dying mall and toward the food court]

“It’s weird to meander around the mall again after all this time. Makes me feel both incredibly old and kind of warm to look around and see what’s still here and what isn’t. Oops, of course the goth store is still here, haha. I used to have one of those UFO pants with all the chains and spikes. Had to nuke those pictures from orbit, hehe.”

[Pause]

“Hey, we all go through it. It’s just us figuring out who we are and, admittedly…”

[He leans down and whispers:]

“I may or may not still have those pants… They’re so comfortable with the spikes and stuff off!”

[Pause]

[He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck]

[SFX: More delightful mall ambiance fading into super charming food court sounds]

“Let’s see… Ahh, yeah, just pepperoni for me, please. And whatever they want. Thanks.”

[You take your plates and drinks to an available table and sit down]

“Ayy, a table with minimal gum under it! We’re having all kinds of good luck today, right? I definitely didn’t expect to meet someone as cool as you today. I, um… Do you think I could maybe get your number? I know it probably is weird, and if you’re uncomfortable, I get it, but-”.

[Pause]

“Oh. Uh… well, that was easy, hehe. Here’s my phone.”

[SFX: Tappy typing]

“Thanks, new friend. Maybe I could text you when I get home and we can, I dunno, hang sometime?”

[You hesitate but decide to ask anyway. After all, why not?]

[Pause?]

“Am I doing anything today? Uh, aside from glasses, not really. Was thinking of walking to the park after maybe catching a movie or something. How come?”

[Pause]

“O-Oh! You’re asking if I want to hang now? U-Uh, absolutely yes! That sounds like a day to remember.”

[Pause]

[He smiles gently]

“Yeah… You’re right. The story behind those new frames will be even more special now. And we can test them out at the movies! See terrible remake cheese in high definition!”

[You watch him struggle to keep the cheese on his pizza slice from drooping into oblivion and feel yourself smile. Maybe your glasses will have a special story to them now, as well]

[The End?]